"When did he say that?" asked Hank, who did not know whether to believe it or not.
"A little while ago. I was coming by his saloon, and Barlow and his barkeeper were sitting out in front, just getting ready to go to bed, I believe, and Samson said it would be a nice thing to ship me off on board a vessel. I tell you, the way he spoke it made me afraid of him."
"I tell you, I guess he has got enough of sending men to sea," said Hank. "He tried his best to capture Ben Watson, but Ben whipped them all."
"Well, I'll bet he didn't lick—"
Joe was about to let the cat out of the bag, but caught his breath just in time. He hid his confusion under a paroxysm of coughing.
"You will bet he didn't lick whom?" asked Hank, with no suspicion of the truth.
"I'll bet he wouldn't have licked me if I had been there," said Joe. "I am down on all such worthless fellers as Samson is."
"So is every white man. Did he say he had got his plans already laid to send you to sea?"
"No, he didn't say that, but he said it would be nice if he could do it. But I suppose you would rather go a-fishing with Bob Nellis than to watch me and see that I ain't carried off?"
"I tell you, father, I can't do it. I want to make some money, don't I? I make all there is that is coming into the house."